Fort Wayne is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Indiana. It is located in northeastern Indiana and is the second-largest city in the state. It is also the 83rd-largest city in the United States. Its population as of 2020 is 263,886.

The Fort Wayne area was a hub for Native American trade due to its location at the confluence of three rivers. It was also the site of the Battle of Fort Wayne in 1812. The sand hills and natural springs of the region offered good protection from attack.

When Captain Riley returned to the area in 1819, he was impressed with what he found. He recommended that the land be surveyed and platted quickly for future sale to industrious settlers. The first regular mail service to the area began in 1820.

Top Places to Buy Used Cars in Fort Wayne

By the time of General Isaac Brock’s invasion of the United States in the War of 1812, Fort Wayne had grown to include a large village and the Wabash and Erie Canal was being built. The influx of people, many Irish immigrants, brought crime and conflict to the town. Murders and arson were a common occurrence.

By the early 1900s, a number of large factories were established in Fort Wayne. Lincoln National Life Insurance Corporation, Farnsworth Television, Zollner Piston, and Central Soya were some of the companies that made this era one of economic prosperity in the city. The Cathedral of the Assumption, Lincoln Tower and the Embassy Theatre are examples of buildings that were constructed during this boom period.